Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga's Golden Boot battle should have been decided by the World Cup final
The article argues that the Golden Boot award for rugby league should be decided after the World Cup final rather than before. It suggests that Reece Walsh's performance makes him a more deserving candidate than Kalyn Ponga.
Why it matters
Highlights the debate over the timing and credibility of prestigious sports awards in international rugby league.
Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh are the two dominant players heading into the World Cup final. ( Getty Images: Cameron Spencer and Mark Metcalfe )
Link copied Share Share article The Golden Boot hasn't gone to the best player in the world for many years now but if it did you can still make the case it should have ended up in Reece Walsh's hands.
The Australian fullback is not always the best, but when he is at his best there's nobody better and his performances for the Kangaroos has been a scorching reminder that nobody in rugby league is as made for the fast lane.
These days the Golden Boot goes to the best player in Test matches for the year and by giving it to Kalyn Ponga after just 150 minutes in international football, the credibility of the award is on the line in Sunday's World Cup final.
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